RADIO
Marlon Mack 2019 Outlook: From Colt to Stallion
5 years agoThere have been two concerns about Marlon Mack since he came into the NFL. The first of these is his tendency to try and bounce everything outside. A problem he seemed to solve a bit last season behind a better than advertised offensive line, and with Andrew Luck back behind center. The problem is that Luck will now not be under center. However, Jacoby Brissett may benefit Mack in some ways, as he has the ability to use his legs and that opens things up for running backs. The other worry is his high potential for injury. This problem still needs to be addressed as he missed four full games again last season.
In those four games, the Colts went 1-3 and looked like a terrible team. After his return, the offense went streaking into the playoffs. Last season, Mack compiled 908 yards and nine touchdowns on 195 carries. While not a true pass-catching back, he also came down with 17 receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown on 26 targets. While not elite numbers, it is enough to make him a high-end RB2 or low-end RB1 for fantasy teams.
With all of the pass-catching options available to the Colts, there is little need for Marlon Mack or backfield mate Nyheim Hines to have a major part of the passing game. The majority should in fact come from Hines as he is set to be the third-down back in this system, based on last years usage.
While the limited use of Mack in the passing game does restrict his upside, the offense of the Colts, with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, makes him a good play none the less. He is currently getting drafted in the third round, in the same area as Devonta Freeman and behind a higher risk player like Damien Williams. At this price, Mack is the solid choice to make. His ceiling may only be RB10 due to his lack of expected receptions. However, with the looming injury risk that Freeman brings and the potential disappearance of Damien Williams should Carlos Hyde perform, Mack may be the safest running back in this area, with a solid floor of a low-end RB2 for your team.
